This Summer I enjoyed painting with artists and alumni from Buffalo State College. An event of plein air painting with models, organized by Marilynn Wilson at her cottage near Wilson Harbor. Marilynn Wilson has the desire and plans to bring the beauty of the art to Wilson NY.

I painted a study of Amber posing at the waters edge from life and later took photos back to my studio to enlarge the scene. You can see my process in the pictures.

While painting this, a song played in my head by Hillsong United’s album Oceans ‘Where feet may fail’. This was my prayer through the process of this painting.

I was moved while painting water, that is ever changing, much like people, but God is like a rock, He stays the same. I’m always thinking, trying to represent what’s going on inside the person I’m painting. Always wondering what was she thinking at this very moment, that being a struggle. I remember God alone truly knows what’s inside hearts and minds, reaching far beyond exterior. So I put my faith in Him who holds the mystery, my desire that His spirit would be in my painting.

‘Donny 4 Blue’ is the first oil painted portrait I’ve completed of my son. The inspiration started in Feb. 2014. My son’s friend, Ben got suddenly sick with cancer and passed away. This was a heart wrenching time. My son was concerned for Ben and told me he knew Ben was happy playing in heaven now. My son and I began to pray every night and read his Bible this summer. Donny prayed for Jesus to come into his heart and asked God if he could walk on water when he gets to heaven. This painting was a time for me to pray for my son. Donny is wearing Ben’s favorite color, Blue in the painting. Remembering Ben’s story I was reminded that my son is not my own, but is God’s. A song by Jesus Culture, ‘Fill Me up’ put me in tears. Reminding me of the story of Abraham and Isaac. God wants me to trust Him and pray that His spirit will be with my son through life's journey.

Lewiston Art Festival was lovely this past weekend. My self portrait painting ‘Facing Faith’ was an eye catcher at the show. I was glad to see this since this painting represents my artistic vision, to trust and put my faith in God through the painting process, my life and give Him the credit. It appears unfinished with its green shadows because God is not done with the work. I couldn’t ask for more, watching it speak to others. I also had a great time painting from an incredible model, Amber. I used a canvas toned with Ivory Black, yellow ochre and Titanium white. My pallet for this monochrome painting was Black, Burnt Sienna, Yellow Ochre and Titanium White. Amber was so beautiful with a spotlight of sunshine falling onto her face, which came from a window on top of the tent. It was nice knowing people really enjoyed watching us. Even the painter across the street, Kath Schifano was moved by the seen to paint us. It felt as though time stood still in these moments. Working from life and in daylight can be a challenge. The light continues to move and shadows change. The first image, a ¾ view of Amber is what I painted at the Show. The second is a profile view of Amber that I painted from my studio with a single spot light that never changed. Both were aprox. 3 hr. poses. If clients like this option and would like to pose for a 3hr. sitting, I am willing to do custom paintings such as these for a much lower price in appreciation for the chance to paint from life. Contact me if your interested.

‘Love you more’ highlights the beauty of childlike play and friendship. While also personal to me since the blue bear belongs to my son. It was a gift for my son on the day he was born. The Pink Bear was his cousin and best friend’s. She adored my son so she gave him her pink bear too. These bears were my son’s favorite stuffed animals to play with. This painting is a symbol of my love for them and their love for each other.

‘This ones for you’ is about our maker’s immense love and giving heart. As I was painting this piece and listening to music, I was humbled. I do little justice representing the beauty I see in nature. How complex God designs even the small; how beautiful He designs colors with harmony and compliments and the light to dance over it to its song. I give God full reverence for His abundant gifts to us in which we could never repay.

Hi There & Welcome to my Blog! Thank you for your interest in knowing more about me and my work! Here are a few projects I’ve completed recently. I’ve posted a few progress pictures to give you a glimpse of my process. I will continue to do so in blog posts to come, so that you can be a part of the journey as well. The process is such an amazing thing; to start off on the flat surface beginning with measuring marks and flat shadow shapes, watch the person come alive as I refine details in the darkest darks and highlights. I work with a single light source for this to happen. The process of painting, I feel is one of the most difficult and most amazing things. Every time I sit down to paint a portrait, I give myself no distractions and immerse myself into the work before me, completely focused on the person as well as the knowledge I’ve learned and growing as each piece teaches me even more. Painting is even spiritual for me, during the process, I pray to God, the ultimate artist, and creator of all for His guidance and for the person I am painting. The first portrait is of my 4yr old son, Donny in pastel. I measured the height of his head to draw it to life-size which will be fascinating to look back on later in his life. We did a photo shoot before the portrait, which is especially challenging with my son, but very doable. This was one out of very few that I could paint from. It also seems to be those unexpected gentle glances that I adore. I love how this picture captures a part of him in his charm and childlike innocence.

The second portrait is an oil painting of Glen Stewart, one of my dearest friends. I am very fortunate to have a friend like him. Glen has posed for me many times, so I could paint him from life, but this painting is from a photo so that I could spend more time than he could pose for. We took many photos to get the best one for his painting. I think we made the best choice. Glen’s expression with his half smile and shining eye, intense red background and his soft green shirt turned out to be a beautiful reflection of this great man, whose character is full of a polite gentleness as well as a intense strength and emotion for the ones he loves.